MECHANICAL ENGG

EVENT 3

FULCRUM
INTRODUCTION:
Portray a sky rise building under construction and the first things to strike you
are the gigantic tower cranes. First used in the early 1960's, these engineering
marvels have played an integral role in shaping the modern civilization. But in
most places we see normal cranes using motorized elevating mechanisms. But
we can also use the enormous power of Hydraulics in working of these cranes.
Here is a chance to create your very own hydraulic tower crane.
1.1PROBLEM STATEMENT:
Design and build a tower crane using hydraulic mechanism which can lift a
stationary weight and carry it over a wall to place the weight on the other side
of it.
2.1 STRUCTURE SPECIFICATION:
The tower crane consists of 5 parts - Base Plot, Tower (Mast), Horizontal Arm
(Jib), Elevating Mechanism and Anchor.
2.1.1 Base Plot
A wooden base with a pit of area of cross section 80 mm x 80 mm and depth of
60 mm will be provided by the organizers. The tower of the crane must fit into
this pit for proper anchorage. If needed an excess pit of cross section 80mm x
80mm and depth of 60mm will be provided 50mm from the main pit for placing
oil/water storage part which is to be used in the hydraulic mechanism. But the
model using least area on ground will be given weightage.
2.2 Tower (Mast)
1. The tower height must be a minimum of 500 mm above the wooden base and
below the arm (jib).

2. The cross section of the tower must be 80 mm x 80mm at all times upto a
height of 300 mm above the wooden base.
3. The tower height above the arm is not constrained.
2.3 Arm (Jib)
1. The length of the arm must be a minimum of 600 mm.
2. The length of the counter-weight section of the arm must not exceed 300 mm
from the centre of the tower.
3. The cross section of the arm may not exceed 160 mm x 160 mm.
4. The arm can be supported by a maximum of 4 threads.
5. Participants are advised to make a flat structure in the counter-weight section
for smooth loading and unloading of the counter-weights.
2.4 Elevating Mechanism
1. The lifting mechanism must use hydraulics. The model showing maximum
use of hydraulics will be given maximum weightage/marks during judging.
2. Participants are allowed to use standard motors, gears, pulleys (cotton thread
reels) and readymade gear assemblies if needed for this mechanism.
3. The rope with hook to be attached to the block for lifting will be a cotton
thread of diameter 2 mm. This will be provided by the organizers. The
participants have to use only this.
4. The power supply for the elevating mechanism may be placed off the crane,
on the platform provided.
5. The maximum potential difference between any two points must not exceed
24 V.
6. The participant must ensure that any electric wiring of the mechanism does
not interfere with lifting.
2.5 Anchor
1. An anchor or hook should be present at the end of arm attached with the
lifting mechanism to lift the given objects.
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2. The objects to be lifted will already be provided with ropes or wires attached
to it so that they can be easily lifted by any hook or anchor.
3. Direct human contact with the anchor is not allowed. The target will be
placed at certain position, the arm has to be lowered, the anchor to be hooked in
the target and lifted up. Then it has to be placed on the other side of a pre
erected small wall.
4. In this whole process no human contact is allowed. The whole mechanism
must use hydraulics and if necessary standard gears, gear box or motors can also
be used in addition to hydraulics.

MATERIALS TO BE USED:
1. Cotton threads of diameter 1 mm. To verify this constraint each team must
bring a 1 m long sample of the string used by them. (To verify the diameter of
the string, it will be wound about a cylindrical object (like a pen). 10 turns will
be wound about a cylindrical object. The length of the string will be measured
along the axis of the cylinder. Thus the diameter of the string would be equal to
the length of the string along the axis of the cylindrical object divided by
number of turns wound about it.
2. Motor, readymade gear assemblies, gears, pulleys, threads (cotton, 1 mm
diameter) and rubber bands (1 mm diameter) can be used in the elevating
mechanism.
3. Use of hydraulics is must. Any model without the active use of hydraulics
will be disqualified.
BUILDING RULES:
1. The structure of the crane may be made by pop sickle sticks, small and thin
wooden splinters, small and thin metal pieces, threads and adhesives.
2. Welding is not allowed in the structure. Only adhesives and threads have to
be used.
3. Elevating mechanism and anchor can be made from the other materials
specified.
4. The structure may not be painted, sprayed or dipped in any coating material.
All glue should be removed from surfaces that are not bonded together.
5. Each team will be provided 1 m of standard cotton thread on the spot to
secure any joints which they feel are critical before the crane is tested.
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6. All motors, pulleys and components regarding hydraulic mechanism must be

placed on the structure. Only the power source can be placed on the ground.
3.1 TESTING AND JUDGING
3.1.1 Round 1
1. The weight of the structure will be considered (excluding the weight of the
motor/elevating mechanism).The participant will be given time to integrate the
elevating mechanism with the structure on-site.
2. Participants have to place desired counter-weights on the counter-arm if
needed. Thereafter the crane will be required to lift weight upto 2kg with the
help of elevating mechanism upto a height of 10cm. After the elevating
mechanism is actuated, participants are not allowed to alter the position of the
counter weight.
3. Structures will be tested for weight as well as the vertical deflection of the
arm at a distance of 20 cm from the centre of the tower while the crane is under
the load. This deflection will be measured with the help of a dial-gauge. Once
the block is lifted to a height of 10 cm then the stable dial-gauge reading will be
considered for the purpose of judging.
4. Any team whose structure/elevating mechanism fails at any point will be
eliminated.

3.1.2 Round 2
1. A wall of height of 30 cm will be introduced in this stage.
2. The crane is supposed to lift a block of weight 3 kg to a height of 30 cm or
more. Thereafter the block should be taken across the wall and safely placed on
the other side wherever marking has been done.
3. The whole mechanism may be driven manually or in automated mode.
However automated mechanisms will always be preferred when given ranking.
4. The whole mechanism has to show 3 degree of freedoms, movement of
anchor along with load on z-axis (axis parallel to the arm), movement of whole
arm in u-axis (rotation about the tower) and movement of anchor along with
load on x-axis (axis parallel to the tower).
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3.1.3 Definition of Failure

The model is said to have undergone failure if:
1. Model fails to satisfy the above specified dimensional constraints.
2. Model is broken at a joint i.e. it cannot take any load at that joint. Any
structure undergoing failure will be out-rightly eliminated from the competition.
3. Model fails to show the specified degrees of freedom.
3.2 Judging Criteria
3.2.1 Scoring and Penalties for Round 1
A team can earn a maximum of 50 points in this round.
Scoring based on weight of the structure
The participants will be awarded points on basis of the following
formula:
Score = (Weight of lightest structure in the competition/Weight of
your structure)*20
Scoring based on deflection of the horizontal arm
The
participants will be awarded points on basis of the following
formula:
Score = (Least deflection of any structure in the competition
/Deflection of your structure)*30
3.2.2 Scoring and penalties for Round 2
A team can earn a maximum of 50 points in this round.
1. A team will earn 20 points if it successfully completes the mentioned task.
2. A penalty of 5 points will be imposed if the block hits the wall while the task
is being carried out.
3. Scoring based on horizontal deflection of the tower:
The participants will be awarded points on basis of the following formula:
Score = (Least deflection of any structure in the competition/Deflection of
your structure)*30
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4.1 GENERAL RULES:

1. Shape: Structure could be of absolutely any shape satisfying the above
constraints.
2. Once the structure is weighed, you are not allowed to modify your structure
in any way.
3. If the structure fails to satisfy any of the above constraints then it will be
summarily rejected.
4. Any team that is not ready at the time specified will be disqualified
immediately.
5. Judges' decision shall be final and binding on all.
6. The organizers reserve all rights to change any or all of the above rules as
they deem fit. Change in rules, if any will be highlighted on the website/forum.

4.2 Team Specifications

A team may consist of a maximum of 3 members. Students from different
educational institutes can form a team.
4.3 Eligibility
All students studying in graduation, post graduation or Ph.D. programs with a
valid identity card of their respective educational institutes are eligible to
participate.
4.4 Certificate Policy
1. Certificate of excellence will be awarded to the top 3 winners.
2. Certificate of participation will be awarded to all the teams.
4.5 Prize Money
1st prize- Rs. 5000/ 2nd prize- Rs. 3000/ 3rd prize- Rs. 2000/6

Contact:

Ravi Chand (9697439491)

Asad Azhar (8803053596)
Santosh (9086422770)
Jitendra Nagar (9796515492)
Shashank Sharma (9086939981)